Humanitarian Aid, Conflict and Politics - 3354 Words

Humanitarian Aid, Conflict and Politics Introduction Aid donors often want to ensure that the aid they provide reaches and supports the target population in countries affected by war (Chr Michelsen Institute, Bergen 2). However, with civilians working as both strategic targets and â€Å"militarized† actors targets in the modern-day conflicts, the issue of humanitarian organizations providing relief services in war-torn areas has increasingly been politicized. Factions targeting the civilians in war torn regions see any aid to civilians as â€Å"opponents† supporting the enemy (THE ELLIOTT SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY 3). The factions view the provision of assistance and resource to the civilians as materially supporting hence supporting one side involved in the conflict. This viewpoint goes against humanitarian relief organization’s â€Å"provide aid but take no side† credo. Worse, the politicization of relief or aid may cause those representing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and agencies on the ground to be turned into strategic targets by opposing factions in the conflict. Hostile factions attack representatives of the agency, local and international Non-governmental organizations in the field with a view to obtaining goods and services and to prevent aid from reaching the targeted civilian population by that faction (THE ELLIOTT SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY 3). Besides, destruction of aid infrastructure and robberyShow MoreRelatedPeering Through Spectacles Of The English School, Has Provided1648 Words   |  7 Pagesinternational society which helps to establish a co-operative environment. However, society doesn’t completely eradicate conflict which I believe is evident in the conflicts around the globe. During week five, I learnt about the English School as a theory of international relations and how it helps to explain the international system, co-operation between the states and conflict. With this th eory comes strengths and weaknesses that allow it to be reviewed. The foundational claim of the English SchoolRead MoreHumanitarianism Is A Complex Task958 Words   |  4 Pagesto gain permission to serve in hostile environments. This form of humanitarianism seeks to help those in need while relegating the importance politics. Alchemical humanitarianism contrasts significantly with pure humanitarianism. 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THE MEDIA AS A DRIVING FORCE IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS This has been an on going debate for almost two decades of the relationship between the media coverage of war torn areas and the decisions made there after by Western nations to intervene to either give humanitarian aid or assist in quelling the conflict. The question has always been the real intention of the Western countries intervening. Is it because of their own politicalRead MoreHumanitarian Crisis : Icrc And Msf s Safety Compromised1487 Words   |  6 PagesHumanitarian Crisis: ICRC and MSF’s safety compromised due to Syrian Conflict Introduction In September 2016, Secretary John Kerry negotiated a cease-fire agreement between the United States and Russia, in order to allow aid convoys to provide relief. However, on September nineteenth, 18 out of the 31 convoys were attacked by an airstrike. The attack resulted in the death of 21 civilians and one Syrian Arab Crescent member (Hennessy-Fiske, 2016). Some immediately assumed Russia was responsible andRead MoreAn Imperfect Offering by James Orbinski1250 Words   |  5 Pagesfront-line humanitarian work in the worlds worst conflict zones. Despite its dark chapters, it is also a hopeful story about the emergence of Mà ©decins Sans Frontià ¨res (MSF) as a new and independent agent of civil society, and the possibilities of making the world a better place. In â€Å"An Imperfect Offering†, James Orbinski tells the story of people who have been harmed by war, and humanitarian workers who have come to heal them when possible. He engages in deep reflection on the nature of h umanitarian responseRead MoreThe Humanitarian Genocide1103 Words   |  5 Pagespolitical safety outweighed their humanitarian concerns, which prolonged the Tamil genocide. Regardless of the UN’s responsibility to take immediate action on reports of genocide, the organization lacked the cohesiveness required to make a firm decision on the conflict in Sri Lanka. Due to the â€Å"U.N.’s complex bureaucracy and decision-making processes,† there was â€Å"a lack of clarity on the institutional responsibility . . . for raising human rights and humanitarian law concerns† (Bhalla; Volkov). BeforeRead MoreThe Syrian Refugee Crisis Is An Outcome Of The Civil War1265 Words   |  6 Pages_____________________________________________________________________________ Executive Summary The Syrian refugee crisis is an outcome of the civil war that has suffered this country over four years. Therefore, a solution to this conflict is urgently needed to stop the humanitarian tragedy and the flood of refugees. In Syria’s civil war, the critical mass participation of local and international actors, with different priorities, perceptions and interests, has dramatically reduced the likelihood of a negotiated